Baldwin Park housing commission approves overview of 2025–29 consolidated plan and 2025–26 annual action plan

Baldwin Park — The Baldwin Park Housing Commission on July 3 accepted an overview of the city’s five-year consolidated plan for 2025–29 and approved the first-year annual action plan for fiscal year 2025–26, documents the city will use to apply for and spend federal HUD funds.

Housing programs coordinator Michelle Bravo told commissioners the consolidated plan and annual action plan “fulfill federal requirements from HUD for jurisdictions receiving annual funding” and outline how the city proposes to invest Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds over the next five years and in the coming fiscal year.

The documents lay out priorities identified in public hearings, a citywide survey and consultations with local nonprofit service providers. Bravo said the city expects to receive about $800,000 in CDBG funds and $225,000 in HOME funds for fiscal year 2025–26; those funds would be directed toward activities that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income households.

Key proposed allocations in the annual action plan include $3,150,000 for a tenant-based rental assistance (TBRA) program intended to assist up to about 25 households, a homeowner rehabilitation program with capacity to assist about 15 households, and $744,823 proposed for renovation of McNeil Manor public housing. Bravo described the TBRA sum as a combined amount intended to support temporary rental assistance for Baldwin Park residents who meet program qualifications.

Bravo summarized proposed public-service and capital allocations: $150,000 toward housing, code enforcement and community enhancement; $7,000 to the local food bank; $8,000 for a recreation subsidy program; $20,707 for the Baldwin Park Bridal Platoon youth service (as named in the presentation); $15,000 for a youth employment program; $25,218 for graffiti abatement; $20,578 for domestic violence advocacy; $21,000 for the senior center; and $10,000 for the East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless.

On homeowner rehabilitation, Bravo said the city plans to resume a prior program paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said, “our maximum loan amount was $45,000. These are 30 year deferred loans at a 1% interest rate.” She added income eligibility will follow HUD limits (generally 80% or below of area median income, set annually) and that applicants must be Baldwin Park homeowners. Bravo also said she believed there was a five-year owner-occupancy expectation used in prior programs but did not confirm it on the record.

Commissioners approved both items by roll call. A motion to accept the overview of the five-year consolidated plan (moved by Maria Cisneros Gonzales; seconded by Edward Gonzales) carried unanimously. A separate motion to accept the first year of the annual action plan (moved by Edward Gonzales; seconded by Jose Jesus Sausa) also passed unanimously.

Bravo said the city submitted the plan to HUD the week before the meeting and that formal HUD approval and the executed contract are typically received in August or September; the commission noted that program rollout depends on HUD’s approval and that staff will not issue applications until funding is formally committed.

Before adjourning, commissioners offered condolences to the Riveros and Wong families for a recent local tragedy.

Votes at a glance: both the consolidated plan overview and the annual action plan were approved by unanimous roll-call votes (Laura Franklin: yes; Jose Jesus Sausa: yes; Edward Gonzales: yes; Maria Cisneros Gonzales: yes).